In Brief
A 31-year-old government employee died in a motor accident caused by a collision between a jeep and a bus. The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal awarded his legal heirs (parents, widow, and two minor children) Rs. 32,52,700 as compensation. The High Court reduced this to Rs. 20,40,000, applying only loss-of-dependency calculations and no other heads. The Supreme Court restored and enhanced the award to Rs. 27,51,120, holding that compensation must include funeral expenses, loss of consortium, loss of guidance to minors, loss of love and affection, and loss of estate. Both insurers remain equally liable for half-shares each, payable at 9% per annum interest from the claim date.
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